Like Yukimura said, Rukia got slaped away like a gnat last time and it's unlikely she's surpassed Ichigo in a month. I think it's far more likely that one of the Vaizard's will be coming in to save his ass. It's highly unlikely they aren't keeping an eye on this battle, and i doubt they'd just let him die if they were capable of stopping it since apparently they think they need him for whatever their purpose is.